Tag: autumn

September Flying By: Time to Switch Up Your Fall Workout Routine

Okay, is it just me or did September literally disappear? Like, I swear it was Labor Day weekend yesterday and now I’m digging through closets for actual pants. Wild. I can always tell when it’s fall because my jeans come out and my old running shoes replace sandals as my go to shoes.

But honestly? I’m kind of here for it. There’s something about fall that makes me want to totally shake up my workout routine. Those sweaty summer gym sessions were great and all, but now that it’s getting chilly, my body is craving something completely different.

I’ve been really into strength training lately – there’s something so good about lifting heavy things when it’s cold outside. Like, my body naturally wants to build that internal heat, you know? Plus squats and deadlifts just hit differently when you’re not already sweating. (If you’re thinking about getting into lifting, Chris wrote more about why fall is strength-building season here!)

And can we talk about cozy cardio for a sec? I’m talking long walks while listening to podcasts, yoga in my living room with candles lit, or just dancing around to whatever’s on my playlist. I am not a dancer but it’s fun to bop around the house.

Movement doesn’t have to be this intense, sweaty thing all the time. (The whole cozy cardio trend is actually backed by experts – gentle movement can be just as beneficial!) And don’t you love how the things we’ve always done now get a name and analyzed? Crazy.

Honestly, I’m giving myself full permission to ditch the summer grind mentality. My body did a lot this summer – camping trips, hiking, all those outdoor adventures – and now it feels good to change it up.

So what’s your fall vibe going to be? Maybe finally trying that Pilates class you bookmarked? Getting back into lifting? Or just promising yourself you’ll take more walks now that the weather’s perfect for it? I’d like to hear about your fall workout routine.

I love how changing seasons give us this natural excuse to hit reset. We don’t have to keep doing the same workouts just because we always have. Fall energy is different – let’s lean into it and move our bodies in ways that make us feel amazing.

And if you’re in the southern hemisphere, let us know  how spring energy is different!

Fall: My Favorite Fitness Season

I didn’t realize that fall is my favorite fitness season until I sat down to write a blog post. I thought, I’ll write about how the fall season is a great time to change up my fitness plans. When I did a search for other blog posts I might have written, I found these posts:

2018 Ten Tips for Fall Fitness

2019 End of Summer

2020 The Fun of Fall Biking

2021 Running in the Fall with My Dog

Apparently last year (2022) I was more focused on food than on fitness because I wrote about roasting pumpkin seeds in the air fryer.  This is a good reminder that I should get a pumpkin to carve this year.

In 2017, which I believe was the year Chris and I started the Becoming Elli website, I wrote a couple of articles about running in the Akron Marathon. That year we ran the half marathon and had a fantastic time. I guess it makes sense that I was focused on the race and not on the season.

Here it is, 2023 and I guess it’s time to write another blog post about fall, my favorite fitness season.

Here in Ohio, September and October tends to be great months, weather wise. The temperatures are warm during the days and cool at night. We often have clear blue skies and of course the flowers are in their end of summer glory.

It’s a great time to go hiking. I’m lucky to have some wonderful park systems in the area. There are parks run by the local communities, the country metro-park system, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. All of them have fantastic hiking trails. I also live by a bike and hike trail so I’m usually on that every morning for Penny’s daily walk.

Fall: My Favorite Fitness Season

I explored some of the trails a bit further from my home. It’s rewarding to get out and see a new area while hiking.

I also started back to my gym. I took a couple of months off because I was traveling and decided to save some money. Returning to the gym has been so enjoyable. I’m trying a fresh approach to it this time. I’ve tried some new classes and thinking about what I want to resume and what I want to change.

I did not do much bike riding this summer so perhaps I’ll try to get in some rides before the weather changes. Once it gets cold and dark, I’ll have to resume my indoor bike riding.

Right now, I’m feeling energized and it’s showing in my activities.

It also occurs to me that I should visit a local orchard. Ohio produces fantastic apples and it’s prime apple season right now.

Lots of excitement in this time of year and fortunately it’s not nearly as food oriented as the holidays in winter.

Let me know how you handle the change in seasons. I know many of you live in warmer (or colder!) climates so perhaps fall isn’t as exciting a time.

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